We Need to Turn Discussions into Actions: Peshawar Seminar Calls for Concrete Steps to Protect Journalists
A seminar on the Effective Use of Pakistan’s Journalists’ Protection Laws was conducted at the Peshawar Press Club on June 13, bringing together diverse stakeholders to address the urgent need for robust media safety laws. Organized by the Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF), the event was attended by politicians, legal experts, police officers, and journalists, all dedicated to enhancing the safety and security of media personnel in Pakistan.
Zahir Shah Sherazi, a senior journalist, and Dr. Sarfraz, a historian, provided insights into the range of threats journalists face in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the historical context of media oppression in Pakistan. Their discussions underscored the critical necessity for a dedicated Commission to oversee and enforce media safety laws.
During the seminar, poignant issues were raised, including the escalation of violence against journalists, with Superintendent Police Waqas Rafiq citing over 93 incidents in the federal capital alone. The legal fraternity, represented by Fida Gul, President of the Peshawar High Court Bar Association, emphasized the gap in law enforcement and the vital need for active implementation of existing laws.
The focus also turned towards the unique challenges faced by female journalists, with Farwa Kazmi of the Aurat Foundation advocating for targeted measures to ensure their safety, such as a dedicated hotline and a safety app.
As the discussions unfolded, stakeholders concurred on several urgent actions, such as the establishment of the federal Commission as required under the national media safety law, the enactment of provincial media safety legislation similar to that in Sindh, and a cultural shift to better protect female journalists and address biases that impact their work.
The seminar concluded with a consensus on moving forward with tangible steps. “We need to turn our discussions into actions that result in real protection for our journalists,” concluded SP Rafiq, echoing the collective call for forming the media safety Commission and the need for continued advocacy at the provincial and national levels.
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